Loading...
City Council - 03/12/1996 APPROVED MINUTES EDF.N PRA IE CITY COUNCIL. TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1996 7:30 PM, CITY CENTER Council Chamber 8080 Mitchell Road COUNCIIINEMBERS: Mayor Jean Harris, Ronald Case, Patricia Pidcock, Ross Thorfinnson, Jr., and Nancy Tyra-Lukens CITY COUNCIL STAFF: City Manager Carl J. Jullie, Assistant City Manager Chris Enger, Director of Parks, Recreation&Facilities Bob Lambert, Director of Public Works Gene Dietz, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Council Recorder Jan Nelson PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL All members were present. I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS Case added item XI.A.1. Fjlanation of ordinance governing parking of cars and number of cars allowed at one location. MOTION: Pidcock moved, seconded by Case, to approve the agenda as published and amended. Motion carried unanimously. H. OPEN PODICTM Tom Ploszay, 7564 Eileen Street, would like the completion of the trail system in Eden Prairie accelerated. He also asked if it would be possible to groom approximately 20 miles of trail that are not currently groomed during the winter. He suggested the City consider paying for the trail completion through pull-tab gambling receipts. Harris thanked Mr. Ploszay for his comments and asked Bob Lambert to review the request and return with Staff's recommendations at a future Council meeting. Pidcock suggested Staff also look at civic organizations that might be willing to participate in activities such as grooming the trails. III. MINUTES A. CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1996 Case changed page 11, paragraph 8 to read, "...cash park fee expenditures for the purpose of bringing the Council up to speed on how this proposed skating rink fits CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 12, 1996 Page 2 into the revised list of cash park fee future projects." Thorfinnson changed page 12, paragraph 9 to read, "Thorfinnson said this would help to alleviate the problem on Duck Lake Road with kids fishing along the road." MOTION: Tyra Lukens moved, seconded by Pidcock, to approve the minutes of the City Council meeting held Tuesday, February 20, 1996, as published and amended. Motion carried unanimously. B. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING/TOLL ROAD TOWN MEETING HELD TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1996 MOTION: Pidcock moved, seconded by Thorfinnson, to approve the minutes of the Special City Council Meeting/Toll Road Town Meeting held Tuesday, February 27, 1996, as published. Motion carried unanimously. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. CLERK'S LICENSE LIST B. COLUMBINE TOWNHOMES by Cornerstone/Equities LLC. 2nd Reading of Ordinance 9-96-PUD-2-96 for Zoning District Change from Rural to RM-6.5 on 3.3 acres and PUD District Review on 3.3 acres; Adoption of Resolution 96-38 for Site Plan Review on 3.3 acres and Approval of a Developer's Agreement for Columbine Townhomes by Cornerstone/Equities LLC. Location: Columbine Road, North of the Post Office. (Ordinance 9-96-PUD-2-96 for Zoning District Change and PUD District Review and Resolution 96-38 for Site Plan Review) C. KINDERCARE- SHADY OAK ROAD by Tandem Corporation. 2nd Reading of Ordinance 10-96 for Zoning District Change from Rural to Neighborhood Commercial on 1.7 acres; Adoption of Resolution 96-39 for Site Plan Review on 1.7 acres and Approval of a Developer's Agreement for Kindercare- Shady Oak Road by Tandem Corporation. Location: City West Parkway and Shady Oak Road. (Ordinance 10-96 for Zoning District Change and Resolution 96-39 for Site Plan Review) D. MF FA FIRST TIME BUYER PROGRAM Requesting the City's Participation in the 1996 Minnesota Cities Participation Program (Resolution 96-40) E. CITY CENTER ENERGY MANAGEMENT F. RESOLUTION 96-41 AWARDING CONTRACT FOR IC 96-5403 1996 STREET SWEEPINCT G. DI_SCL.AEIOER OF INTEREST FOR NSP EASEMENT CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 12, 1996 Page 3 Regarding item G, Disclaimer of Interest for NSP Easement, Harris said she was confused by the second paragraph of the Background section of the Staff Memorandum. Dietz said this is a housekeeping item in that we wrote an easement and gave interest over land that we don't own. The issue is all of the signers of the easement documents did the same thing so they also need to sign a disclaimer. Regarding item D, MHFA First Time Buyer Program, Tyra-Lukens asked how much of the allocation was used last year. Lindahl said we used just over half, and we probably will use the entire allocation this year. MOTION: Pidcock moved, seconded by Thorfinnson, to approve items A-G on the Consent Calendar. Motion carried unanimously. V. PUBLIC HEARINGS/MEETINGS A. ISSUANCE OF $3,300,000 HOUSING REFUNDING BONDS FOR ELIM SHORES? City Attorney Rosow reviewed an amendment to the resolution adding a development agreement that will essentially do away with an assessment agreement. This amendment is essentially a clean-up item. Kathy Youngquist, Vice President of Finance for Elim Homes, said they want to refinance in order to lower their interest rate from 9.0 to 7.0% and to pay a balance of the principal. There were no comments from the audience. MOTION: Thorfinnson moved, seconded by Case, to close the Public Hearing. Motion carried unanimously. Pidcock asked when they last refinanced the bonds. Rosow said they came to us in 1993 regarding tax issues and received a lower tax classification; however, there has been no other refinancing. Pidcock said the initial bonds had language regarding how they were selecting their clients. She asked if that has been followed up. Rosow said they report to the City on an annual basis. Lindahl said we are satisfied that at least 20% of the units are affordable, and at this point they are quite a bit lower than 50% of median income. Pidcock said she recalled something regarding potential tenants and some issues regarding separation of church and state. Ms. Youngquist said they do not discriminate on the basis of religion, sex or any other quality, and tenants qualify for a subsidy on the income test only. CITY COUNCIL M NUTES March 12, 1996 Page 4 MOTION: Thorfinnson moved, seconded by Pidcock, to adopt amended Resolution 96-42 providing for the issuance and sale of Elderly Housing Refunding Bonds for the Elim Shores Inc. Project Series 1996; and authorizing the execution of certain documents in connection therewith. Motion carried unanimously. B. ROGER'S HOMESTEAD by Paul Thorp. Request for Zoning District Change from Rural to R1-13.5 on 10.9 acres and Preliminary Plat of 10.9 acres into 16 single family lots and road right-of-way. Location: Duck Lake Road and Duck Lake Trail. (Ordinance for Zoning District Change and Resolution 96-43 for Preliminary Plat) Paul Thorp, project developer, reviewed the proposal. Enger said the Planning Commission reviewed the project at their February 12, 1996, meeting and recommended approval of the request on a 6-0 vote, subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report of February 9, 1996, with the addition of a fifth recommendation to consider requiring sidewalks along Duck Lake Road and Duck Lake Trail on the subject property and to strongly encourage that the sidewalks be continued further along the land bridge. Lambert said the Parks, Recreation &Natural Resources Commission conducted lengthy discussions about the tree replacement and the sidewalk issue at their March 4, 1996 meeting. The Parks Commission approved the proposal on a 5-0 vote per the Staff Report of February 9, 1996, with the addition that a sidewalk be constructed on the east side of Duck Lake Road from Duck Lake Trail south to the cul-de-sac and on the south side of Duck Lake Trail in order to provide safe access to people in the neighborhood out to the existing trails. The Parks Commission recommended not to extend the trail south from the cul-de-sac to the lake and not to extend the sidewalk across the marsh area until the road is upgraded. Rod Fisher, 16820 South Shore Lane, questioned the termination of the sidewalk at the cul-de-sac as he understood it would be continued across the water as a boardwalk. Lambert said the Planning Commission recommended the sidewalk be extended to the lake shore and had some discussion about the possibility of a boardwalk across the water. The Parks Commission recommended the sidewalk not be deadended at the lake. Fisher said there is a lot of foot traffic on the road, with children going to and from school, and he hoped the City will give them a sidewalk to walk on. Harris asked Staff to illustrate the points being discussed. Lambert reviewed the locations on an overhead. He said there is a possibility of building a floating boardwalk and then continue it on the other side down to the next road, but he does not have any costs figures to construct such a structure. CITY COUNCIL AIMUTES March 12, 1996 Page 5 Pidcock did not think we should miss an opportunity to continue the sidewalk as far as we can and, at some future time, develop some crossing of the water. Case said he agreed the sidewalk should be continued down to the lake and he wanted Staff to return with cost estimates to run the sidewalk all the way down to the school. Harris asked if they would put some kind of a barrier at the end of the trail. Dietz said they would. Tyra-Lukens was concerned about the variances required from the shoreline ordinances and about our allowing a lot that is under the minimum size. Enger said the project meets the spirit of the ordinance and provides substantiation for one lot being smaller than the others. Case said he agreed with the tradeoffs; but he shared the concerns about the lot line between lot 14 and lot 15 and was concerned with the precedent of approving the high water line. He asked if it would be possible to change the lot line in order to avoid violation of the 55 foot frontage minimum. Thorp noted the variances are for lots 3 and 16. Case said lot 15 is a substandard lot, and he was more concerned about that than some of the other issues. Harris said she thought the configuration as presented works well. Tyra-Lukens asked if consideration was given to putting the shoreline portion into a conservation easement. Lambert said Mr. Thorp has agreed to put a drainage and utility easement over everything within the 100-foot setback. A scenic easement cannot be mowed or maintained, and property owners would want to maintain their property down to the shoreline. Tyra-Lukens questioned the Staff Report's comment that the 100 foot setback from the lake does not leave room for decks or three season porches. Lambert said, if the house was built within the building pads shown on the lots, there would not be room for a deck; however, they can move the house to the front of the pad if they want a deck. Thorfinnson asked for clarification of the sidewalk issue. Lambert said the sidewalk will be extended for the entire frontage on Duck Lake Road and will go all the way down to the lakeshore. He said there is an area in the corner of the project that is not part of this plat, and the sidewalk in that portion will be the City's responsibility. Pidcock asked if the City's portion of the sidewalk was included in the budget. Lambert said it was not; however, the cost for that portion will probably be less than $2000. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 12, 1996 Page 6 MOTION: Pidcock moved, seconded by Case, to close the Public Hearing; to approve First Reading of the Ordinance for Zoning District Change from Rural to R1-13.5 on 10.9 acres; to adopt Resolution 96-43 approving the Preliminary Plat; and to direct Staff to prepare a Development Agreement incorporating Commission and Staff recommendations and the condition that the sidewalk be continued down to the lakeshore. Motion carried unanimously. C. DATA METALCRAFr by Gene O' Brien. Request for Zoning District Change from I-Gen to I-2 on 3 acres and Site Plan Review on 3 acres for construction of a 16,734 sq. Ft. building addition. Location: 7875 Fuller Road. (Ordinance for Zoning District Change) Brad Torok, architect for the project, reviewed the proposal. Enger said the Planning Commission reviewed the proposal at their February 12, 1996 meeting, and recommended approval on a 6-0 vote of the request for rezoning, subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report of February 9, 1996. Prior to 2nd Reading, a variance required for a small percentage of plain concrete block will have to be reviewed and approved by the Board of Appeals and Adjustments. Enger said the project was not reviewed by the Parks commission. There were no comments from the audience. MOTION: Pidcock moved, seconded by Thorfinnson, to c lose the Public Hearing; to approve 1st Reading of the Ordinance for Zoning District change from I-General to I-2 on 3 acres; and to direct Staff to prepare a Development Agreement incorporating Commission and Staff recommendations. Motion carried unanimously. D. 1996 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) ACTIVITIES Adopt Resolution 96-44 approving the 1996 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) activities as recommended by the Housing, Transportation, and Social Services Board (HTSSB). (Resolution 96-44) Lindahl reviewed the resolution approving the 1996 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) activities, as recommended by the Housing, Transportation and Social Services Board (HTSSB). He said the only new activity for 1996 is the inclusion of$30,000 for acquisition of sites intended for affordable single family detached housing. Tyra-Lukens asked if the $30,000 for scattered site single family represents an increase in the funds or is it coming from the other programs. Thorfinnson said it is coming out of the other housing programs, not out of the child care programs. Lindahl said these activities are regulated by a 20% cap on human service CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 12, 1996 Page 7 categories so we are at the maximum for the three human service projects. Charlie Warner, representing Community Action for Suburban Hennepin, thanked the City for the help on their programs. He described a program they offer that provides graduating seniors with information about what is involved in signing a rental agreement, a program that has been very well received at Eden Prairie High School. Grace Norris, representing the Greater Minneapolis Day Care Association, expressed appreciation for the subsidies provided to families in Eden Prairie for child care. Betty Crouch, representing Senior Community Services, thanked Councilmembers for the help with their efforts to serve seniors. There were no comments from the audience. MOTION: Pidcock moved, seconded by Thorfinnson, to close the Public Hearing; and to adopt Resolution 96-44 approving funds for the 1996 Urban Hennepin County Community Development Block Grant Program. Motion carried unanimously. VI. PAYMENT OF CLAIMS MOTION: Thorfinnson moved, seconded by Pidcock, to approve the Payment of Claims as submitted. Motion carried on a roll call vote, with Case, Pidcock, Thorfinnson, Tyra-Lukens and Harris voting "aye." VH. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS A. Roger's Commercial Guide Plan Change (Resolution 96-45 for denial) Per the Council's direction on February 20, 1996, 7ullie said Staff has prepared a draft resolution for denial of the requested amendment of the Comprehensive Guide Plan by Roger Lindeman to allow construction of a Holiday Convenience Gas Station. MOTION: Case moved, seconded by Thorfinnson, to approve Resolution 96-45 denying the amendment of the Comprehensive Guide Plan requested for neighborhood commercial use by Roger Lindeman. Motion carried unanimously. VIII. PETITIONS, RFMTESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. Appeal of Variance #95-31 (Mr. Tom Morgan) CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 12, 1996 Page 8 7ullie said Mr. Morgan is appealing for Council review of the Board of Appeals and Adjustments denial of his request for a variance on a 3-3-0 vote. Tom Morgan, 10160 Phaeton Drive, reviewed his request for a variance to construct an addition to his garage which would be located at 5 1/z feet from the property line, rather than the required 10 foot minimum. He showed photographs of his neighbor's expanded garage and his proposed expansion as it would look upon completion. He said his neighbor's plan was approved, and it is only 2 1/2 feet from his lot line. Harris thought this could be a very attractive addition. Case said he has a problem with precedent on this project. He didn't understand why the neighbors got approval for their garage since it is so close to the Morgan's lot line. He said the fact that the houses are offset makes them appear to be farther apart; however, we need to be clear to future interested parties that there were definite reasons for approving this variance. Tyra-Lukens thought there appears to be some space between the houses and there is some screening. Pidcock said we do not have strict conformity on setbacks within other PUD's throughout the City. MOTION: Pidcock moved, seconded by Case, to grant variance request#95-31. Motion carried unanimously. B. Proposal from General Growth for Public Participation in Upgrade of Eden Prairie Center Enger said the Council directed staff almost two years ago to visit with major nationally-recognized fashion department stores, and with Dayton's specifically, to see if they were interested in coming to the Eden Prairie Center. Representatives of Dayton's assured staff members they were very interested in coming into the Eden Prairie market but the timing was not right. Staff also visited with Nordstroms. General Growth Properties/Homart were pursuing parallel conversations with nationally recognized fashion department stores. After meetings with City staff, GGP/Homart has prepared a proposal for complete renovation of the Eden Prairie Center to update the center in order to match the expectations of the buying public in the City. Enger said GGP/Homart will invest $50 million in the renovation and are asking the City for $10 million in public participation that would come from Tax Increment Financing (I'IF). The projections show the renovation would create an estimated $42 million increase in value over the existing value of $17 million. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 12, 1996 Page 9 There would be no loss of revenue to the taxing districts, and the project has the potential to increase to $85 million in value. In addition, properties around Eden Prairie Center could also increase in value. Enger said GGP/Homart is looking for an official indication of interest from the City so they can proceed with discussions with nationally-recognized department stores. Bill Mosten, Director of Development for GGP/Homart, reviewed the preliminary plans for renovating the center, noting there will be a significant demolition of portions of the center. He said they have worked closely with the Community Development staff during the past year to develop the plans. Harris said Eden Prairie Center has been a concern for a long time, and the concept enhances this area of the City with new shopping, entertainment, recreation and eating opportunities. The renovation should help to revitalize the area and should generate some additional funds to assist in meeting other essential goals of the City. Pidcock was delighted to see some plans to regenerate the center. She asked if the proposed design is unique. Mosten said there have been a couple of other projects like this. Pidcock asked if there are any statistics on the effect of adding to the fashion mix. Mosten replied Southdale has been very successful, as have some properties on the West Coast that are comparable to Southdale; however, it is very hard to predict. Tyra-Lukens said some residents are interested in an indoor park facility and asked the GGP representatives if they had any experience putting a park into a retail center. Mosten said that would pose some unique challenges in terms of living within the facility, but they are open to researching some of the options to determine what would be the best mix for the center. They are leaning towards the concept of an ice rink as that would fit into the physical parameters. Harris thought an ice rink creates a very real activity for younger people, and the project offers a concept to attract all ages. Case asked why the increase in assessed value would not shorten the pay back time for the bonds. Enger responded if the value goes over $42 million, one of the options would be to reduce the term of the district. Enger said this project is a pure example of what TIF was created for. Harris said she considers this to be an investment in the future for all taxing jurisdictions. MOTION: Case moved, seconded by Pidcock, to continue this item to the March CITY COUNCIL N EWM March 12, 1996 Page 10 19 meeting and to direct Staff to continue discussions with the proponents. Motion carried unanimously. IX. REPORTS OF ADVISORY BOARDS & COMMISSIONS A. Livable Communities Strateides Dave Lindahl and Katherine Kardell presented the strategies for meeting the Metropolitan Council Livable Communities housing goals recommended by the Housing, Transportation, and Social Services Board (HTSSB). The strategies were recommended on unanimous votes by the Planning Commission, the Parks, Recreation &Natural Resources Commission and the Human Rights &Diversity Commission. Kardell said the HTSSB expects that if the strategies are adopted, they will be incorporated into the normal daily jobs of the City's development process. She said item I.f. was included in order to draw attention to all the possible avenues of financing the Livable Communities strategies. Harris complimented the HTSSB on a lot of creativity and thought and a very well put-together document. She asked if Goal #1 will be indexed to inflation. Thorfinnson said it is tied to the median income. Harris then asked how repeat sales will be handled. Lindahl said they do not want to artificially restrain the value of property, and the goal is 30% affordable to start with. Harris noted this is one of the policy issues that the Council may have to grapple with now or in the future. Thorfinnson thought the basic structures and the type of housing will tend to keep them in the affordable range. Regarding item U., Harris asked how we would get credit for working with adjoining communities. Lindahl said we would have to split the number of units and divide them among the communities we partner with. He said Edina has similar goals to meet but has no land, and we might want to work with the other two members of Southwest Metro. Lindahl noted item l.g. will probably require some further exploration from legal staff because it may require enabling legislation. While we would not want to put Eden Prairie at a disadvantage in acquiring new businesses, a lot of new businesses that come into Eden Prairie bring jobs that are filled by employees needing affordable housing. Thorfinnson said they thought it was important that all projects should participate in meeting the goals to some degree. Regarding Goal#2 regarding Rental Housing, Harris asked about the projections for the total rental market as we build out. Lindahl responded about 25% of our future housing will be rental, and of that 20% would be classified as affordable. He said we negotiated conservative goals in this area. CrrY COUNCIL AII1JUTES March 12, 1996 Page 11 For Goal #3 regarding funding for Affordable and Life Cycle Housing Opportunities amount, Tyra-Lukens asked where the$125,000 contribution in 1997 will come from. Lindahl said it could be CDBG funds or TIF funds. Thorfinnson said we might bank a couple of years of CDBG funds. Lindahl noted the state determined that amount, and ours is probably one of the highest of all the cities involved. For Goal #5 Tyra-Lukens asked about the current percentage of multiple family housing. Lindahl said it is at about 42% now. For Goal#6 Tyra-Lukens was concerned what effect a density of at least two units per acre for new Single Family detached developments would have on areas such the Bluffs. Lindahl said we would be able to transfer density off certain areas. Kardell said the Met Council considers this goal very important. Lindahl noted the Met Council wanted it to be much higher than this. Thorfinnson said the numbers have already been approved, and these are just the strategies recommended to meet the goals. This figure is an average density. Harris said her concern is in protecting unique parcels. Thorfinnson said we don't have to look at each development,just the overall development. Kardell said we need to know as each proposal is brought in what the impact will be on the goal. Tyra-Lukens was concerned that we present a clear message to developers as to what things will be expected. Thorfinnson said it would not be realistic to expect a small development with five or ten lots to put in one or two affordable houses to meet the goal, so we would need to work towards an average of at least two units per acre for all new single family detached developments. Pidcock asked how this will affect the Assessing Department as values are raised 7-8% each year. Lindahl said our experience with townhouses is that increases in value aren't keeping up with single family increases; however, he didn't know that we can control that. Pidcock thought that would be part of the policy the City would have to address. Thorfinnson said it was important to relate the goal to new units, and we don't have to stay at that value on resales. Tyra-Lukens said she was not comfortable with serving as a repository for other cities' affordable housing. Thorfinnson said the transit hub is a good example of how a partnership would help all of the communities attain their goals. Tyra-Lukens asked if working with other communities is being pushed by the Met Council. Lindahl replied they are real advocates of cluster planning. Harris said this concept would be very important for the communities that have no more land available. Thorfinnson said there are funds available for partnership projects as an added incentive. CITY COUNCIL M NUTES March 12, 1996 Page 12 Lindahl reminded the Council they would be able to review every project on its own merits. MOTION: Pidcock moved, seconded by Thorfinnson, to adopt the strategies for meeting the Metropolitan Council Livable Communities Housing goals as developed by the Housing, Transportation & Social Services Board. Motion carried unanimously. X. APPOINTMENTS XI. REPORTS OF OFFICERS A. REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS 1. Explanation of ordinance governing parking of cars and number of cars allowed at one location Case reported a problem where there are four or five cars parked around a house, and 10 to 12 cars on the driveway across the street. He asked what ordinance would apply and how would we go about changing the ordinance if needed. Enger replied the zoning code allows outside parking of vehicles, but they must be parked on a hard surfaced area, must be licensed and must be operable. He said they could not park cars if they are in the business of selling cars. We could check into changing the ordinance. Case asked who would handle such a change. Enger said it would be the Planning Department and the Planning Commission. B. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER C. REPORT OF DIR CTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION & FACIIXDES 1. Concept Plan & Cost Esthnates for Miller Park Skating Rink Lambert reviewed the additional information in the Staff Report of March 12, 1996, that was developed at the Council's request. The report contains a breakdown of costs for the project. Harris said the City remains remarkably free of vandalism and one of the things contributing to that situation is that our youth have opportunities to engage in physical activities. She believed the quality of construction in the beginning is far more important, even if it means changing the staging of other buildings in the park. She also noted this is a very expanded program from the original one that was envisioned. CrrY COUNCIL MUq UTES March 12, 1996 Page 13 Case favored Scheme A for the project, noting it is important to build facilities that are capable of lasting many years in order to get years of service from our investment. Thorfinnson supported the proposed design now that he understands we are getting an enhanced facility and have several new items included. He was concerned that this is the first of several buildings planned for this park, and we will have to pay for all of the other buildings at some point. Tyra-Lukens said she also prefers Scheme A, and it is difficult to determine what items to omit from the plan. Thorfinnson said reductions would impact the revenue producing aspects of the project. We need to make sure the other buildings that go up there are of a similar quality. MOTION: Case moved, seconded by Pidcock, to receive the Staff report of March 12, 1996, and to authorize the preparation of plans and specifications and advertising for bids for the Miller Park Skating Rink Facilities in accordance with the recommended plan, including the provision of deduct alternates in the bid proposed for Council review at the time of contract award. Motion carried unanimously. 2. Playground Site Inventory and Recommended Improvement Plan Lambert reviewed the report of January 30, 1996, from Stu Fox regarding playground site inventory and the recommended improvement plan. It is important for us to understand what areas of our playgrounds may have some potentially hazardous conditions. He said Staring Lake Park has potentially the most hazards. Lambert said the Parks Commission reviewed the recommendations on February 5, 1996, and recommended approval on a unanimous vote. Pidcock was concerned about the number of signs that are proposed to be posted at the playground sites. Lambert said the signs are recommended by safety guidelines and by our risk managers. There will be a single sign posted at each playground that communicates the age group recommended for the equipment. MOTION: Pidcock moved, seconded by Case, to receive the Playground Site Inventory and recommended improvement plan, and to direct Staff to develop a 5-year capital improvement program for Council approval. Motion carried unanimously. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 12, 1996 Page 14 D. REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF COMMINITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT E. REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS F. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY XH. OTHER BUSINESS 1. City Manager Evaluation (Closed Session) MOTION: Thorfinnson moved, seconded by Pidcock to proceed in a closed session for the City Manager's annual evaluation. Motion carried unanimously. In the open session, Nancy Tryra-Lukens summarized the Council's evaluation. She stated that Mr. Jullie had received excellent ratings from the Council, staff, and community members. The Council looked at comparable City Managers' salaries and Mr. Jullie's placement on the charts the Council had reviewed. Councilmember Tyra-Lukens noted that Mr. Jullie's pay had been low, based on the salary ranges, and noted the recommendation of a salary increase based on the Guide. Motion: Tyra-Lukens moved, seconded by Thorfmnson that City Manager Carl Jullie's salary be increased by 4.75% effective March 1, 1996. Motion carried unanimously. XIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Pidcock moved, seconded by Thorfinnson, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Harris adjourned the meeting at 10:55 p.m.